Guide for M/Q, A and B Exams

Guide for M/Q, A and B Exams#

As a graduate student, the M/Q, A and B exams are critical checkpoints in your program. Your committee evaluates research progress and provides feedback to guide future work. All exams except the Q exam are public, requiring clear communication of scientific results.

Masters students: M Exam
PhD students: Q Exam, A Exam, B Exam

Exam Structure#

Each exam typically consists of:

  1. Research presentation

  2. Public Q&A period (except Q exam)

  3. Private Q&A with committee

  4. Private committee deliberation (candidate exits room)

  5. Committee feedback and outcome (pass, conditional pass, or fail)

General guidelines leading up to any exam#

The following are important guidelines regardless of the exam type:

  • Communicate with your Advisor frequently leading up to the exam

  • Share the Title, Abstract, and Personal bio information with the CEE administration so that they can advertise your presentation

  • Clarify the requirements (e.g., presentation time limit) and goals for the exam with your Advisor

  • Review prior exam presentation from past group members, to inform your presentation content & design.

  • Start preparing early and make sure to practice your presentation

More information on these exams can be found on the Cornell website: www.engineering.cornell.edu/cee/exam-guide/

Masters Exams#

M Exam#

The M Exam is taken by MSc or MSc/PhD students at the end of their Masters (typically after 4-5 semesters, or 2-2.5 years). For this phase, you will need to nominate two committee members (one Chair, and one minor member). Before the M Exam is held, you will be required to submit a draft of your thesis at least six weeks prior to your committee. On the actual day, you will be required to deliver a 30-minute long presentation summarizing your MSc research. This will be followed by a general audience Q&A, which typically lasts about 10-15 minutes long. You and your committee will then remain in the examination room for a detailed critique and next steps discussion by your committee members. Often, your thesis can be further developed into a publication. More details can be found on the Cornell Engineering website here.

PhD Exams#

Q Exam#

The qualifying exam verifies satisfactory progress early in your PhD journey. You receive an academic journal publication 2 weeks before the exam date and must prepare a presentation that summarizes the publication and critiques its strengths and weaknesses.

A Exam#

The A exam demonstrates your unique research identity, typically taken after completing your first PhD research project. The A exam provides a chance to get important committee guidance on dissertation plans.

Your presentation should address:

  • Summary of Cornell coursework and activities

  • Research problem and motivation

  • Results to date

  • Future work plans (papers 2 and 3) and completion strategy

B Exam#

The B exam (defense) is the culmination of your PhD journey.